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Gale Launches Innovative Purchase Model for e-books

posted by kmassari
on Wed, 10/30/2013 - 12:44

Based Solely on Usage Data, Simple Model Takes the Risk Out of Library e-book Purchasing

Farmington Hills, Mich., October 30, 2013 — Gale, part of Cengage Learning and a leading publisher of research and reference resources for libraries, schools and businesses, today announced an innovative new purchase option – a Usage-Driven Acquisition (UDA) model – for its Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) e-book platform. Unlike options currently offered by other e-book providers, this new purchase model will allow libraries to purchase e-books based on actual usage, allowing libraries to perform evidence-based collection development. GVRL delivers reference content and series non-fiction titles to all types of libraries.

“The nature of e-book acquisition has changed considerably over the years and we have explored a number of models with customers in the past which have led us to today’s announcement,” said Nader Qaimari, senior vice president, sales and marketing for Gale. “We want to expose more customers to the great learning and research opportunities offered by GVRL, and introducing this unique purchase model allows our customers to experience the platform with little risk and also enables them to make smart purchasing decisions that they can feel comfortable are meeting the direct needs of their user base.”

Customers interested in the UDA model will make an upfront deposit (minimums apply) and will get complete access to the full line of Gale and Gale imprint e-titles, roughly 2,000 titles, for six months. At the end of the six month period, e-books with the greatest usage will be automatically added permanently to the library’s GVRL collection and deducted from the library’s initial deposit. As with GVRL’s traditional purchase model, once an e-book is purchased, libraries have unlimited, simultaneous use of the title. Gale is also working directly with third party publishers to incorporate their titles into this program.

Named “Best Overall Database” by the readers of Library Journal magazine in 2012, GVRL offers user-friendly features such as an interface available in more than 30 languages, ReadSpeaker technology (text-to-speech functionality) for 19 languages, article translation capability, a multi-page viewer for a traditional book-like experience, and the ability to download articles as PDFs to ereaders or MP3 players for offline access. Gale also offers free promotional help including advertising and search tools for embedding within the library website, MARC records and other customizable marketing resources.

About Cengage Learning and Gale
Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, software and services company, empowering educators and driving learner engagement through personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that bridge from the library to the classroom. Gale, part of Cengage Learning, serves the world's information and education needs through its vast and dynamic content pools, which are used by students and consumers in their libraries, schools and on the Internet. It is best known for the accuracy, breadth and convenience of its data, addressing all types of information needs – from homework help to health questions to business profiles – in a variety of formats. For more information, visit www.cengage.com or www.gale.cengage.com.